Clicking front left / shuddering

[Alistair]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my first Subaru - a '94 Legacy LS Wagon 4EAT with 165k miles. It's seen better days but drives OK for the most part, and I love it already ... despite the comments from family and friends - mostly because it's Burgundy! .

I've put about 40 miles on the car since I bought it and it's developed a clicking sound at the front left that's worse when I turn left and accelerate. Also, if I lock the steering either way (but especially to the left) I get a kind of shuddering like the car doesn't really want to move - I have to give it more gas before it actually moves. This problem is worse in reverse.

Does this sound like an outer CV joint problem? I'm hoping it's not the front diff. Fluids I could access under the hood are all fine, haven't got underneath to check the rear diff fluid levels yet. The front boots do not seem to be torn - in fact they seem to be brand new. From what I've read here it sounds like the boots need to be torn to get CV joint problems, so it has me confused.

I bought the car from a small dealer who bought it at an auction so unfortunately I don't have any info from the previous owner, and there don't seem to be any maintenance records.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts on what the problem might be and how to narrow it down if there's more than one option. Also if you experts know if it's something someone clueless about cars but armed with a Haynes manual (me) could fix! Failing that, recommendations for a good mechanic or garage in CT (preferably near Derby/Shelton) would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help,

Alistair

[asc_up]

yeah that sounds like the CV joint is going out.

[Alistair]

Thanks asc_up... I will look into changing that drive half-axle.

However, I've discovered that if I put in the FWD fuse (disable AWD), the clicking is still there (guess this is the CV joint), but the shuddering completely goes away. I've been doing some more reading and it sounds like this could be a 'torque binding' problem with my 4EAT . I tried doing some donuts in a gravel parking lot but it didn't solve the problem (somewhere said it might help).

I've read that changing the transmission + diff fluids can help. My Haynes manual says Dexron II for ATF and API GL-5 80W-90 for the diff. If anyone has any specific brand or additive recommendations, let me know!

Thanks,

Alistair

[asc_up]

yeah definitely change the transmission fluids. hopefully that will help and if not......i dunno what to tell you.

[Alistair]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread... just wanted to follow-up on my problems and solutions.

The shuddering round corners was definitely torque binding, and has been resolved completely (for a couple of months now at least...) by a change of transmission fluid (put in the Dexron II compatible from Walmart).

Though the shuddering was the big problem, the clicking had got worse over time and today I finally got round to changing the front left CV drive axle. This was my first time even removing a wheel, but 3 hours later (with the help of my Haynes manual and these forums), no more clicking when turning left / accelerating. Hopefully my wheel won't fall off later.

Thanks everyone for your really helpful + searchable postings over the months/years... I hope someone has a backup copy of this BBS.

[ericem]

Um, dextron II? Or III which is what im hoping, becase i do nto think a dextron I or II will work, just anyhting higher would work.